Phillip Hughes

A majestic career cut short by a tragedy

An impressive career in making concluded for Australian international cricketer Mr. Phillip Joel Hughes after a big tragedy haunted while doing his most favorite thing i.e. playing cricket. He was playing for South Australian team against New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield Match (Australia Domestic League), when a bouncer from Sean Abbot (an upcoming fast bowler for Australia) struck Phillip`s neck which cause several injuries to his brain (very rare injury). He fell down face first onto the pitch before standing for couple of seconds after the blow. He fought for couple of days as many doctors were working on his injuries, but he never gained consciousness. And at last on 27<sup>th</sup> November 2014, 3 days prior to his 26<sup>th</sup> Birthday, he took his last breathe in St. Vincent Hospital. It was a sad day in cricketing world as death won over the gentlemen`s game. Not only cricket but also the other sport mourns this huge loss in Cricket history. So as a Cricket fan I try to share Phillip`s boyhood dream towards the game of cricket through this article.

Phillip Hughes nicknamed Hughesy was born on 30^th November 1988 in Macksville, a small town on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia, to Greg, a banana farmer, and his Italian wife Virginia. Hughes was also a talented rugby league player, but he left rugby and started playing cricket with one dream into his mind of representing his country on international circuit. He started playing his junior cricket for Macksville RSL Cricket Club, where he excelled so quickly that he was playing A-Grade player at the age of 12. He was closely viewed by Australian legends in the game. And very quickly he came into the eyes of many players Hughes moved from Macksville to Sydney to play for western suburbs district cricket club in Sydney Grade Cricket. He made 141* in his debut and knocked the door of international cricket, he had a great season and soon got selected for U-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia where India lifted the World Cup.

 As time passed, he made runs prolifically for western suburb and New South Wales junior teams and got a call up for a rookie contract from New South Wales Domestic team. And on 20^th November 2007, Phillip made his first class debut for NSW against Tasmania and became youngest to debut for New South Wales after Michael Clarke in 1999. He announced his arrival as an opening batsman and scored solid 51 on debut. He had a wonderful season for New South Wales, scored at an average of 62.11 with a century and 6 half centuries. He was awarded by New South Wales rising star award after his knock of 116 against Victoria in Pura Cup final (Domestic Tournament).

Later he was signed by Middlesex (English county team) and he enjoyed batting in England scoring at an average of above 140, with 3 centuries. On his success in England he quoted, “I thoroughly enjoyed it and the preparation has been great. The big thing that came out of it was that I played at three Test grounds I'm going to be playing on and got to experience them before this big series coming up. Lord's was my home ground there for Middlesex and I played at The Oval as well and Edgbaston couldn't have really worked out any better. The big thing was just going over there to experience the whole different culture really, the weather, the wickets and the bowlers as well.” He made his debut in List A tournament and became the only Australian to score double hundred in limited over’s cricket against South Africa A in Darwin.

Start of the Dream:

After consistent performances in domestic cricket, he was called up to replace legendary Matthew Hayden for the South Africa Tour in Feb- March 2009. He was clean bowled by Dale Steyn on his debut innings but was highest scorer in second innings with 75. But the start of great career was in 2^nd test where he scored test hundreds in both of his innings and became the youngest player in the world to score century in both innings of test at the age of 20. But because of his inconsistency he lost his place into the test team. He went back into domestic circuit and did hard work on his technique which was exploited by the fast bowlers in England. He regained his spot after the retirement of Ricky Ponting and made his 3^rd and last test hundred against Sri Lanka in Colombo. But lack of experience made him out of the test side and played his last test match against England in Ashes 2013.

He made his One Day debut against Sri Lanka in Australia and that was record setting debut, became first Australian to score a Century on Debut. He again made a century in his 5^th ODI against same team and glued his place in One Day International side. His inconsistent form made him in and out of ODI side as well and played his last One Day International against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi in October 2014. He had a great domestic season in 2013-14 and was awarded by best domestic player of the same season by Cricket Australia. He was a primary contender for the World Cup squad which is scheduled in Feb-Mar 2015. His T20I debut was his last international match against Pakistan. He started his 2014-15 season with a great start for South Australia. But on 25^th November 2014, a bouncer from Sean struck Phillip`s Neck and biggest tragedy in Cricket history occurred and Phillip lost his life while playing his loved sport. He was playing well on 63* and remained 63* forever. It was a black day in cricket history and world cricket got shell shocked after this sad news. Pakistan vs New Zealand was postponed by a day for the tribute to Hughesy. All domestic matches in the world either got cancelled or got postponed. But Phillip Hughes will always be remain in my heart as a passionate cricketer. I saw him once on 30^th Oct 2013 in Nagpur when Australia played against India, he was not able to score much, but he was a player in making for Australia that time. He was a best contender for injured Michael Clarke for 1^st test against India this week. But Destiny had some other thing in stored for Hughesy. I hope he will Rest in Peace and he will be remembered by all forever

- Gaurav Purohit